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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo., & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its mission to help people achieve and maintain long-lasting
health and wellness, Essence Healthcare today announced it has renewed
its existing partnership with well-being improvement leader Healthways
(NASDAQ: HWAY) to continue offering the award-winning SilverSneakers®
Fitness Program through 2016. SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading
exercise program designed exclusively for older adults, is available to
Essence Healthcare members throughout the St. Louis region.

“The SilverSneakers program has played a crucial role in helping our
members stay active and fit,” said Richard Jones, CEO of Essence
Healthcare. “We are extremely pleased with the results we have achieved
through the program and look forward to continue working with Healthways
to improve the health and well-being of people with Medicare throughout
our community.”

The effectiveness of the SilverSneakers program is evidenced by surveys
of Essence Healthcare members who participate in the program. According
to the 2012 survey results, 67 percent of Essence Healthcare
participants reported their health as excellent or very good, more than
twice the national average of 32 percent for older adults. In addition,
84 percent of Essence Healthcare respondents reported no impairment in
activities of daily living, as compared to the national average of 63
percent for older adults.

“Essence Healthcare is committed to offering solutions to help its
members enjoy healthier lives, and Healthways is proud to partner with
Essence to deliver the high-quality SilverSneakers Fitness Program to
its older adult members,” said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president
and chief executive officer. “Like Essence, SilverSneakers has a shared
pledge to deliver personal and attentive service through a
user-friendly, proven program that provides a unique combination of
physical fitness and social experiences.”

Using proven methodologies based upon more than 20 years of science and
outcomes, the SilverSneakers Fitness Program increases physical activity
in older adults, resulting in higher well-being and lower healthcare
costs. The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1992 and serves
more than 10 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center
network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating
fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.

About Essence Healthcare

Essence Healthcare offers people with Medicare comprehensive and
affordable health insurance that focuses on wellness, care coordination
and personal service. Essence’s Medicare Advantage HMOs bundle hospital,
medical and prescription drug coverage together into one plan and
include additional benefits not covered under the Original Medicare
program. Essence’s Medicare Advantage plans are designed and directed in
partnership with local doctors, and are among the nation’s highest rated
according to the federal agency that administers Medicare. For more
information, visit www.essencehealthcare.com.

About Healthways

Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) is the largest independent global provider of
well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier
world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior
change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our
customers, which include employers, integrated health systems,
hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government
entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each
individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant’s
health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are
achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of
everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary
technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30
years and now serves approximately 45 million people on four continents.
Learn more at www.silversneakers.com
or www.healthways.com.